National Federation of State
High School Associations
2015 Coaches’Clinic: Track & Field
and Cross Country
NCHSAA Information
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
 Reporting deadline: February 7, 2015
 State championship date: February 13-14, 2015 @
JDL Indoor Track in Winston Salem, NC
 Request to host an indoor meet on an
outdoor facility will remain a requirement.
The form is available at www.nchsaa.org.
 On-line registration:
• Entries must be submitted using MileSplit
• Complete results from Polar Bear meets MUST
be entered into Race Tab or Hy-Tek AND email
results to NCHSAA
• No handwritten/Excel/Word files accepted
• All other Indoor information will be on
website
 Begin Practice: February 16th
 First Contest: March 2nd
 Regionals:
• May 2nd – 3A/4A
• Deadline to submit entries – April 25th
• May 9th – 1A/2A
• Deadline to submit entries – May 2nd
 State Championships: 3A = May 8; 4A = May 9;
1A = May 15; 2A = May 16 @ NC A&T State
University
 Dead Periods:
• Fall: August 1st through September 1st
• Winter: October 29th through December 1st
• 2015 Summer Dead Periods:
• June 29th – July 5th
• July 20th – July 26th
 Missing the following:
•
•
•
•
1A East (Potentially Lejeune HS)
2A East
2A Midwest (Potentially Polk County HS)
3A Mideast (Potentially Eastern Alamance at Northern Guilford
HS)
• 4A Mideast
• Complete meets—indoor and outdoor—must be entered
on-line through MileSplit—only ones that will be accepted
• No longer can you send just qualifiers
• Must enter full name
• Confirmation receipt will be sent
• MUST use RaceTab or Hy-Tek;
• Hand-typed, Word, or Excel Files will not be accepted
 Procedure Indoor and Outdoor
May be submitted to the NCHSAA and must be in by 9:00am
the Monday prior to the regional (state championship for
indoor track)
 Fax/Email late entry form to NCHSAA; once reviewed AND if
accepted
 A $50 fee will be assessed for each individual entry; check
made payable to NCHSAA



$50 for each team
No entries after this will be accepted
 Track & Field:
• Indoor: No more than two meets may be
scheduled per week.
• Outdoor Track: No more than three meets may
be scheduled per week.
• Elimination of split squad rule for spring
• An individual is limited to one meet per day,
maximum of four events per meet.
 Everything you need for regular season,
regional and state competition can be found at
www.nchsaa.org
• Meet Schedules
• Qualifying standards
• Late entry and all other forms
• List of certified coaches
• Instructions on how to enter and submit
qualifiers
 Hand-held times must be rounded to the tenth
 Certification and knowing rules; use coaches who have
attended a session
 Entry into state meet
• Submitted by regional directors for Cross Country and
Outdoor Track & Field; by coaches for Indoor Track
• Allowed to enter one alternate per relay team if not
already a qualifier
 Wheelchair opportunities--must satisfy regionals/state
qualifying standards must participate to advance
• The NCHSAA must be informed if you have a wheelchair
participant.
The quality of responsible behavior
characterized by a spirit of generosity and a
genuine concern for opponents, officials and
teammates.
 Wholesome athletic environment
 Good Sportsmanship > Victory
 Modest in victory, gracious in defeat
 Respecting judgment and integrity of game
officials
 Role modeling good behavior
National Federation of State
High School Associations
Eligibility & Compliance
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
Eligibility
 Power Point
• Required viewing for all coaches
• Should be done with the athletic director
• Includes opportunities to discuss concussions/sudden
cardiac arrests/Sickle Cell Trait, etc.
Eligibility
 Preseason Meeting
• Required attendance by all parents
• Time to share rules, regulations, expectations,
philosophy etc.
• Time to get all required signatures--pledges, GfellerWaller information, etc.
Eligibility
 Eligibility Checklist
• Use to ensure school has done its due diligence
Clinic Attendance
 Head coaches in football, soccer, volleyball,
basketball, wrestling, swimming, baseball,
softball, and track & field and lacrosse must
attend an NCHSAA approved State Rules Clinic.
• Must be completed prior to coaching in the first contest;
subject to $400 fine, in addition to a $500 fine if he/she
actually coaches in the contest
• Most satisfied the requirement at the NC Coaches’
Association Clinic back in July
• Make sure you sign the sheet today to get credit
Clinic Attendance
• If the head coach cannot attend the NCCA clinic or is
not hired until afterwards, the requirement can also be
met at one of the statewide officials’ clinics, which are
posted on the NCHSAA Website under clinics. Please
note that several volleyball and soccer clinics for
officials occur prior to the NCCA Clinic.
 Athletic directors cannot satisfy this requirement
by attending a rules’ session in place of the head
coach
Coaches’ Education
 NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course
• Currently, all non-faculty and newly hired coaches
must take the Fundamentals of Coaching Course;
certificate of completion must be on file at the
individual school
• Complete prior to first contest; subject to a $500 fine;
continuing to coach without completion = another
$500
• All coaches must have satisfied the requirement to
take this course by August 1, 2015.
Coaches’ Education
 Concussion Management Certification
• Effective last August 1, 2014, the NFHS Concussion
Course (free on-line course) or an equivalent course
must be completed by all coaches
• Prior to the first date of practice for that sport;
subsequently, the certificate of completion must be on
file at the individual school; subject to $500 fine
Coaches’ Education
 “Education is a journey, not a
destination”
Coaches’ Education
•Accredited Interscholastic Coach (AIC)
• Requires completion of 4 courses:
– Fundamentals of Coaching
– 1st Aid, Health & Safety for Coaches
– Sport Specific Course or Teaching Sports
Skills
– Concussion in Sports (Free)
Coaches’ Education
• Certified Interscholastic Coach (CIC)
• Completion of AIC requirements
• Plus:
– Teaching & Modeling Behavior
– Engaging Effectively with Parents
– Sportsmanship
– Creating a Safe and Respectful
Environment
– Strength & Conditioning
– 2 additional courses (User Choice0)
Sportsmanship
 Teaching & Modeling Behavior Course
• Required for any coach ejected during a contest
• Required for any coach who has player (s)
ejected for fighting
 NFHS Sportsmanship Course
• Replaces the Star Sportsmanship Course for any
ejected/disqualified player
• Free, on-line course (nfhslearn.com)
• All certificates must be sent to NCHSAA
Gfeller-Waller Concussion Law
 Requirements of the Law:
• Concussion signs and symptoms
• Given prior to participation
• Parents/athletes sign indicating “receipt of”
• Return to Play (RTP) form signed by a physician
licensed to practice medicine
When in doubt, sit them out”
• An up-to-date Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
• Must be on-file
• Must be posted
• Must be updated annually
Transfer Policy
 Over one year old
 If a bona fide change of residence—no transfer
waiver necessary
 Transfer packet with forms are on-line; password
protected
 Work with athletic director to ensure students
meet residence rule requirements
Master Eligibility Form
 Added a column in order to indicate a student
“meets local promotion standards”
 Added extra space in the column dealing with
Gfeller-Waller
 Changed the attendance column to indicate a
student “meets local attendance policy”; note
that the statewide 85% rule has given way to the
local requirements relative to attendance
Special Emphasis
 Get involved with student services
 Visit the NCHSAA website often
National Federation of State
High School Associations
2015 Track and Field
and Cross Country
Rules Changes
Editorial Changes
Points of Emphasis
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
National Federation of State
High School Associations
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
Indoor Track Events
Rule 1-4
 Order of indoor events include
• 55-meter or 60-meter High Hurdles
• 55-meter or 60-meter Dash
• 55-meter or 60-meter Low Hurdles
 Distance set by meet director or games committee
• May also be set by state association policy
• With no action, distance is 55 meters
 55 meters is the official NFHS distance
Competitor’s Uniform - Jewelry
Former Rules 4-3-3, 9-6-3
 The wearing of jewelry is no
longer prohibited during
warm-ups and competition
under NFHS rules
• State associations may
adopt a more restrictive rule
Ring
Earring
Competitor’s Uniform
Watch
 Wearing of a watch continues to be
permitted
• Use of GPS function is not permitted
• By state association policy the wearing of a
watch could be prohibited
Competitor’s Uniforms
Medical Alert
 Medical alerts are permitted
 Alert should be visible for
risk minimization
General Rules for Throwing and Jumping Events
Rules 6-2-9, 6-4-9a, 6-5-9a, 6-6-11h, 7-2-12, 7-4-14d,
7-5-27e, 7-6-12f
 Clarifies that once the competitor’s name has
been called, a trial needs to be initiated,
rather than completed, within the prescribed
time limit
General Rules for Throwing and Jumping Events
Rules 6-2-9, 6-4-9a, 6-5-9a, 6-6-11h, 7-2-12, 7-4-14d,
7-5-27e, 7-6-12f
 A trial, with attempt initiated
within prescribed time,
completed beyond time is
legal
• Providing all other aspects of
attempt are conducted
according to the event rules
General Rules for Throwing and Jumping
Events
Rules 6-2-17 NOTE, 6-6-9, 7-2-18 NOTE 1
 If a legal implement breaks during a trial
taken in accordance with the rules
• Performance is not recorded and replacement
trial is awarded
 If a legal implement breaks upon completion
of trial that was executed in accordance with
the rules
• Performance mark is recorded and no
replacement trial awarded
General Rules for Throwing Events
Rules 6-4-9f, 6-5-9g, 6-6-11
 The competitor must still exit, as required by
rules for shot put, discus and javelin, after the
implement has landed
 Competitor may exit once the implement has
landed and no longer has requirment to exit
under control
General Rules for Throwing Events
Rules 6-4-9f, 6-5-9g, 6-6-11f
 Removes the requirement for the official to
call “Mark”
 Once the implement has landed the throw is
measured unless there is an illegal throw
resulting in a foul
 A foul can be signaled verbally, “Foul,” or with
a flag if being used
 Competitor shall exit circle or runway
according to rules once implement has
landed
General Rules – Vertical Jumps
Rule 7-2-11
 A crossbar displaced by a force disassociated
with the competitor after he/she is legally and
clearly over the crossbar shall not be a fault
and is considered a successful attempt
 Examples of disassociated force:
• Wind
• Rebound of the pole off planting box padding
Special Events
Rules 8-1-1, 2
Boys
Decathlon, Pentathlon
 Boys events may include either the 1600meter run or 1500-meter run
 With no action by meet director or games
committee, standard distance is 1600meters
• State association policy may also define
which distance to utilize in competition
Special Events
Rule 8-2-1f
Indoor Track & Field Events
 Indoor weight throw may be included as a
special event for indoor competition
 Permitted only if legal cage is provided for
warm-ups and competition
National Federation of State
High School Associations
2015 Track and Field
and Cross Country
Editorial Changes
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
Infractions in Races
Rules 5-12-1, 5-14-2f
 Removes unnecessary language “impedes”
as rule addresses the infraction by term
“interfere”
Meet Officials
Rule 3-10-4
 Additional language added to clarify that the
meet official may allow a competitor to take
trials in succession to accommodate being
excused to participate in other events
Infractions in Races
Not Run in Lanes
Rules 5-13-1 thru 4
 Reorganizes Rule 5-13 for clarity
• Infractions are located in Articles 1 & 2
• Non-infractions grouped and appear in
Articles 3 & 4
Other Editorial Changes
 4-6
 4-6-5e
Added “and Conduct” to title of Section 6
to more clearly describe the articles
addressed in the section
Removed duplicity in the rule by
combining letters e and g
• Communicating with a competitor through the use
of any device, including electronically, during a
race or trial
 4-6-5
Note 3
Added consistency in language to include
reference to the coaches box and permits
instruction through electronic means, as
well as verbally
• A coach may instruct a competitor…
Other Editorial Changes
 5-13-4
Deletes unnecessary language
“stride” at end of sentence
 6-2-5, 7-2-13
. . .The competitor with the best
mark in the preliminaries has
earned the right to make the
last attempt of the competition
and may choose to wait until
after any excused competitors
have taken all their trials
 6-3-1
height of does not apply
Other Editorial Changes
 6-4-6 NOTE 3
with flags placed flagged
 6-3-2, 7-3-2
For consistency, rearranged “height
or distance” to “distance or height”
 7-2-1
In meets with limited entries, the
games committee may allow all
competitors just four trials.
 7-3-2a(1)
For clarity, rearranged “is better
from either the preliminary trials or
the finals” to “from either the
preliminary trials or finals, is better."
Other Editorial Changes
 7-3-2c
A competitor shall be credited with
his/her best achievement if it occurs
in a jump-off for first place
 7-4-15,
7-5-15&17,
7-5-30,
7-6-8,
7-6-17
Removed duplicate articles from the
specific field event rules as they are
already addressed in the General
Rules for Field Events
National Federation of State
High School Associations
2015 Track and Field
and Cross Country
Points of Emphasis
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
Risk Minimization in the
Hammer/Weight Throws
 The weight throw is allowed as an additional indoor
event
• Boys use a 25-pound weight
• Girls use a 20-pound weight
 The throwing circle is the same size used for the
hammer throw and shot put (7 feet in diameter with
no toe board)
 A weight cage must be used to maintain the safety of
spectators, waiting competitors and officials
 Flagging to cordon off throwing and landing sector
should be set up well outside the sector lines
 Throwing shoes and gloves are recommended
Proper Cordoning Off
of the Throwing Venue
 Throwing events should be cordoned off and/or
flagged properly for the safety of spectators, athletes
and officials
 Ropes, fences or flags should be set up well outside
of the sector lines to minimize the risk of injury for
spectators,
competitors and officials
 Spectator seating
needs to be placed
behind throwing
area and away from
landing area
Proper Cordoning Off
of the Throwing Venue
Legal Implements
Becoming Illegal
 It is possible for an implement deemed legal
to break and become illegal during an attempt
• The tip of a javelin could come off or the cording of
the grip could unravel during flight
 If the implement breaks during the attempt,
the competitor will receive another trial and
no penalty will be assessed
 The broken implement will no longer be used
in the competition unless it can be fixed to
become legal
Legal Implements
Becoming Illegal
 The performance mark shall count and be
recorded if an implement breaks upon landing
• Must have been executed in accordance with
the rules of the event
 No penalty is assessed, but the broken
implement will no longer be used in
competition unless it can be made legal
Displacement of
the Crossbar
 It is a foul if the competitor displaces the
crossbar from the pins on which it originally
rested with his/her body or the pole
 A crossbar displaced by a force disassociated
with the competitor and he/she has legally
and clearly gone over the crossbar, is
considered a successful attempt
Displacement of
the Crossbar
• For example, a pole could rebound or change
direction after hitting the plant box padding,
causing the pole to displace the crossbar
• This should not result in a fault if the vault was
clearly successful
• Wind may blow the crossbar off the pins causing it
to fall even though the competitor has cleared the
crossbar
Head Event Judge Mechanics –
Throwing Events
 After a throw has landed, the official marking
the attempt immediately goes to the point of
impact and marks the spot
 Once the implement lands and the competitor
should legally exit the ring, the judge will
voice or use flags to indicate if a foul was
committed
 If the attempt was legal, the mark shall be
measured and recorded
Prohibition of Wearing
Jewelry Removed
 Jewelry and hair accessories are no longer illegal
• An official may ask a competitor to remove an
accessory if it is not properly secured or could
damage equipment
 Watches are legal in all track and field and cross
country events
• State association policy may prohibit
 Religious and medical alert medals are legal and
no longer required to be taped to the body
• When wearing a medical alert, the alert should be
visible for risk minimization
Prohibition of Wearing
Jewelry Removed
 Coaches retain the responsibility to not allow
competitors to wear items dangerous to
themselves or to equipment, such as landing
system in high jump
 Preserving the integrity of the sport, coaches
should set and communicate expectation that
jewelry, if worn, should not be dangerous and
must be secure when worn
NFHS Track and Field
Pre-Meet Notes
NFHS Track and Field Pre-Meet Notes will be available online at
http://www.nfhs.org/activities-sports/track-fieldcross-country/
https://www.usatf.org/groups/officials/newsletters/
NFHS Track and Field Pre-Meet Notes
are made possible through the
cooperative efforts of the NFHS Track
and Field Rules Committee and USA
Track and Field Officials Training
Subcommittee
Coaching
Pole Vault
Course Objectives
■ Starting a beginner – teaching proper standing grip height, width of hands on pole, and position of
hands on pole
■ How to instruct beginning level pole-vaulters through skill development drills and build confidence
■ Maintaining a safe practice and competition environment – proper pad placement and securing of
vault mat pads
Units
■ Starting a Beginner
■ Problem Solving
■ Basic Laws of Physics
■ Equipment and Facility
■ Drills and Coaching
Techniques
■ Interactive Exercise
More Information at nfhslearn.com!
Coaching
Track and Field
Course Objectives
Units
■ Types of races – sprint and endurance
■ Running
■ Running form – proper posture, arm movement,
and leg movement
■ Jumping
■ Throwing
■ Start and Drive phase – block and standing start
■ Types of jumps – horizontal and vertical
■ Jump elements – approach, take off, flight and
landing
■ Throwing – basic skills for each event type
■ How to teach skills for correct form
■ Teaching progressions to combine skills into full
movement
More Information at nfhslearn.com!
NFHS Track and Field and
Cross Country Publications
 The Rules
Book, Case
Book, Officials
Manual and
Scorebooks
can be ordered:
• Online at
www.nfhs.com
• By calling
1.800.776.3462
NFHS E-books
 Electronic versions of NFHS Rules
and Case Books are now available
for purchase as e-books
 Apple users can visit iTunes for
available books
 Apple, Android and Kindle users
can buy e-books from Amazon.com
and view them through the Kindle
app
 $5.99
• Visit www.nfhs.org/ebooks for more
information
Interscholastic Officiating
www.nfhsofficials.com
 Introduction to skills and
concepts used as an official
 Ideal for new officials or those in
first few years of officiating
 30-45 minutes to complete
 Topics include: basics of
becoming and staying an
official, science of officiating, art
of officiating, how to combine
these skills for successful
officiating
 Course is FREE to any NFHS
Officials Association member
 Non-members course is $20
 Contact NFHS Officials
Department for details
(317.972.6900)
National Federation of State
High School Associations
Thank You for your support of
High School Athletics!
www.nfhs.org
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™